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Monday, 31 August 2015

Hi all.This week @ Beaches we'll be having our last sutta study session with Winton Higgins, finishing off the book 'Satipatthana: The Direct Path to Realization'. This will also be Winton's last regular scheduled appearance at Beaches Sangha. He'll be coming back from time to time with specific talks we've requested, but it's the end of his monthly gig with us. Hope to see you there.LL

Monday, 24 August 2015

This week Jampa will give an overview of Tibetan Buddhism. I'm sure it will be of interest, and there will be time to ask questions about this other valuable buddhist tradition.

Also, I am asking for expressions of interest from families wanting to bring their children on retreat. I would be happy to teach a 3 day retreat at Gorrick's Run, the Sydney Zen Centre's beautiful retreat centre near St. Alban's, sometime next year.
Several years ago I did retreats with the Sydney Zen Centre where children were an added bonus, and I feel that is something missing in our insight tradition.
It would be a camping retreat, but there are wonderful facilities there - a large meditation hall, a kitchen and dining room, one upstairs bedroom, outside toilets and showers, with water heated in a chip heater.
Parents would have primary responsibility for their own children, but we would arrange a roster for them to have time out and for others to do different activities with the children, like bushwalking and art.
If this idea appeals to you, then contact me at: betsyfaen@gmail.com, or 9913-2979, 0403 871 605.
I would want a core group of parents to help organise and run this. I envision that it will be a small group, and lots of fun!

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Hi,
Jampa is sick, so I will give my talk this week instead. I'm going to talk a bit about my early encounter with the dharma in the US, India and Australia, and also talk in general about the buddhist 'dharma scene' in the 50's, 60's and 70's in those countries, and how those early influences are still being felt today.
Hope to see you Thursday night.
Betsy

Monday, 10 August 2015

This week at sangha Jampa Jaffe will be doing the final instalment of the Wheel of Life. And in 2 weeks time ( Aug 27) he will give an overview of Tibetan Buddhism. Now is your chance to ask questions about this approach to Buddhism.
See you Thursday.
Betsy

Thursday, 6 August 2015

Camp in the field, under the stars.
Embrace simplicity at this beautiful
Zen retreat and meditation centre.
Whether you are joining us again, or
experiencing Gorricks for the first time, this is a
very special place to welcome the Spring. Led by
Winton and Betsy, the weekend provides a
space to explore recollective awareness
meditation. The retreat will observe silence on
site except during dharma talks, and group and
individual interviews.
Registration and payment
WHEN: Thursday 10 September to Sunday 13
September 2015.
The retreat begins @ 7pm after evening meal.
WHERE: SZC Kodoji at Gorricks Run, Upper
Macdonald NSW
COST: $230 + Dana (see below)
$150 - students/unwaged + Dana
For those unable to meet either price
please check the Retreat scholarships on the
SIM website
The retreat fee includes accommodation and all
meals from light dinner Thursday to lunch on
Sunday. We provide a range of vegetarian food,
with dairy, gluten and nut free options
available. All other food issues/food supplements
are the responsibility of retreatants.
Go to the SIM website to book and pay
http://www.sydneyinsightmeditators.org/spring-
recollective-awareness-retreat.html
Email sydneyinsightmeditators@gamil.com
if you have further enquiries
Dana
In keeping with the 2,500 year old tradition the
teachers are not paid for teaching the dharma.
Dana is the practice of generosity through which
we offer donations to our teachers as a sign of
our respect for the teaching and it's value in our
lives. You will have the opportunity to practise
dana during this retreat.

About Gorricks Run...

Kodoji, Ancient Ground Zendo at Gorricks
Run, nestles in a deep valley beneath the
high sandstone cliffs of Yengo National
Park. It is approximately two hours north-
north west of Sydney near Upper
Macdonald, NSW.
The simple facilities include a cottage
equipped with a kitchen, camping, bush
showers and a large and magnificent dojo
(meditation hall).
ACCOMMODATION is mainly camping,
so please bring your own tent etc. There
is some room for people to sleep on the
veranda of the dojo. If you intend to
drive a small campervan to sleep in,
please be aware you will be driving on dirt
road to get to Gorrick's. There is one
room in the cottage with 4 beds, priority is
given to those who ask first and/or to
those with special needs.